A Little Klipspringer Steps Out

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

by Lincoln Park Zoo

in

New Arrivals

Klipspringers are already a dwarf antelope species, with adults measuring just 20 inches in height. So the new arrival born December 2 was even smaller, a miniature of a miniature!

The baby klipspringer, a female, spent her first five weeks of life receiving close care from mom in a behind-the-scenes den at Regenstein African Journey. By the time she made her public debut last week, she was approaching mom in size, although the two remain easy to distinguish. “The little one is more silver,” says Curator of Mammals Mark Kamhout, “and she doesn’t have horns.”

Wild klipspringers are native to central and eastern Africa, where they eat grass and other vegetation. This territorial species lives in small family groups. Rubbery hoofs with sharp outer edges help them climb the rocky habitats they favor.

Visitors can see the little klipspringer climbing Regenstein African Forest’s Dry Thorn Forest habitat with mom, although not every day: the pair alternate time in the exhibit with dad. “She’s doing very well in this new space,” says Kamhout, “and mom is too.”